Gaming Laptops

[mALX]

Looking for a gaming laptop myself recently, I've spent hours reading the notebookreview site, so I would highly recommend it.
You should give us a general price range so that we know what you're looking for also.

Now that I've said that, DO NOT buy Alienware. They are a boutique brand that sells overpriced laptops where you are essentially paying for looks and brand-recognition.

Also, falcon northwest laptops will cost you upwards of $4000 dollars for their basic models.

If you're looking for a high quality laptop I would recommend getting a Sager, www.sagernotebook.com ,

For desktop replacements there are two models that are well worth the price. (These are basic configurations)

Sager NP9262

17" Wide Viewing Angles WSXGA+ LCD with Super Glossy Surface (1680 x 1050)

Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor E8500 / 6MB L2 Cache, 3.16GHz, 1333MHz FSB

Single Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTX Graphics with 1GB DDR3 Video Memory

Genuine MS Windows® VISTA Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition

2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 1 X 2048MB Though you can get 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 2 X 2048MB for $45 more.

250GB 5400rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive

$2399 subtotal, with possibility of adding 2 more hard drives with raid storage, having a quad processor, 2 GPU's with SLI, and getting a Blu-Ray drive. (This is basically the best gaming laptop you can buy, that uses Desktop Processors)

Sager NP5797

17" Wide Viewing Angles WSXGA+ LCD with Super Glossy Surface (1680 x 1050)

45nm Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor P8600 / 3MB L2 Cache, 2.40GHz, 1066MHz FSB

Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M Graphics with 1GB DDR3 Video Memory

Genuine MS Windows® VISTA Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition

2GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 1 X 2048MB (Again upgradeable)

250GB 5400rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive

Subtotal: $1799

Now compare what you get with those to any Alienware computer. Quickly customizing a M17X to be similar to the NP5797, it cost $2549 and thats without any of the bells and whistles like the illuminated keyboard.

I can't go much higher than 1,500. These both sound great, someone else posted about Sagar as well, I am going to put the Sager NP5797 on my list I have been making from these posts and check it out, it sounds Awesome!

 

[mALX]

(except for the 5400 speed on the hard drive)

 

[mALX]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220395

That's what I've got. And for the price, it's pretty damn good I'd say. It'd probably get you what you need, but there's better ones you can get for the same price now.

All except the 5400 speed hard drive on that one. I noticed the complaint on the side as well; which was a bit scary.

 

[Clashero]

This one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172511&st=gaming&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218043606827

That's a really low price too!!

It's amazing, isn't it? Plus, the screen is insane (17" for a laptop is quite a lot), and the graphics card is a 9800 with its own separate memory.
I came accross it because I am looking for gaming laptops myself (I'm planning on spending around 900-1100 dollars)

 

[mALX]

This one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172511&st=gaming&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218043606827

That's a really low price too!!

It's amazing, isn't it? Plus, the screen is insane (17" for a laptop is quite a lot), and the graphics card is a 9800 with its own separate memory.
I came accross it because I am looking for gaming laptops myself (I'm planning on spending around 900-1100 dollars)

Of all the gaming laptops posted on this thread, it has the lowest price. I can't spend over 1,500 on it, so that is an awesome price!

 

[Insomniactk]

For i while ago i read something about a laptop with an extern graphics card.
It was called amilo or something and if i recall right it was pretty good.

http://www.sweclockers.com/imagebank/plot/200901/FarCry2007.png

Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Graphicbooster seems to be the full name. Don't know if it's released or what the price is.

Wow! I wonder if it would work on my HP laptop, saving me from buying a new laptop?

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Probably not, I read the article again (It's in swedish) and it seems that you need a special contact. Not sure though =)

 

[mALX]

For i while ago i read something about a laptop with an extern graphics card.
It was called amilo or something and if i recall right it was pretty good.

http://www.sweclockers.com/imagebank/plot/200901/FarCry2007.png

Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Graphicbooster seems to be the full name. Don't know if it's released or what the price is.

Wow! I wonder if it would work on my HP laptop, saving me from buying a new laptop?

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Probably not, I read the article again (It's in swedish) and it seems that you need a special contact. Not sure though =)

Hmm. Well, if the idea is out there, maybe they will start making it available sooner or later though, which is a great thought! Whoever thought that up should make a fortune!

 

[mALX]

I just checked the Alienware website and...
15.4" 1440x900 screen
512 MB 9800M GT
Intel T8100 2.1 GHz
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
4 GB DDR2 667 MHz
160 GB 7,200 RPM drive with an 8MB cache
8x DVD burner
$1,599 Subtotal

Yeah this'll be the price for most gaming laptops. You can get a dell XPS laptop that has specs similar to this, but a 2.4GHz processor. A friend in college got one for around £700.

And that is essentially why gaming laptops are a waste of money. I could configure a desktop computer with those specifications, plus screen, peripherals and operating system for less than $700, I expect. For the price of that Alienware computer, you're talking about quad-core Core 2 processors, and if you already have a screen and peripherals, welcome to Core i7 country.

My Desktop plays Oblivion at med graphics without lag. It won't do the same for Fallout 3 though. I bought it off the shelf but then had it customized, but I wish I had (had one built from the ground up just for gaming). I want the laptop for travel outside my house. I have been dragging my 360 around everywhere, along with a 15.4" flat screen monitor/TV. It is heavy and very visible, like when I come wheeling into work with it, lol. I was hoping for a gaming laptop that would be a little more discreet, and not announce loudly that I am heading to my office with a 360 and TV to play games, lol.

 

[Abedeus]

I've got a nice T5600 on mine, but built-in graphic card and 512 RAM is... weak. I can't run anything better than Guild Wars.

But Neverwinter Nights and everything pre-DirectX 9.0 works perfectly.

How is Neverwinter Nights? It looked interesting to me, I was thinking about getting it.

Single best Multiplayer and (thanks to countless mods, hackpacks and PrC) Singleplayer Roleplaying Game.

My top 3 game. Ever. Its either Neverwinter Nights, Diablo 2 or Beyond Good and Evil.

 

[mALX]

I've got a nice T5600 on mine, but built-in graphic card and 512 RAM is... weak. I can't run anything better than Guild Wars.

But Neverwinter Nights and everything pre-DirectX 9.0 works perfectly.

How is Neverwinter Nights? It looked interesting to me, I was thinking about getting it.

Single best Multiplayer and (thanks to countless mods, hackpacks and PrC) Singleplayer Roleplaying Game.

My top 3 game. Ever. Its either Neverwinter Nights, Diablo 2 or Beyond Good and Evil.

Thanks for the review, I've been wondering about it, but hadn't talked to anyone that's ever played it before. I happened across it on a Gamespy site and wanted to try it ever since; but I usually won't buy one (unless it's a Bethesda RPG) without hearing from others who have played it first.

 

[Ago Iterum]

I just checked the Alienware website and...
15.4" 1440x900 screen
512 MB 9800M GT
Intel T8100 2.1 GHz
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
4 GB DDR2 667 MHz
160 GB 7,200 RPM drive with an 8MB cache
8x DVD burner
$1,599 Subtotal

Yeah this'll be the price for most gaming laptops. You can get a dell XPS laptop that has specs similar to this, but a 2.4GHz processor. A friend in college got one for around £700.

And that is essentially why gaming laptops are a waste of money. I could configure a desktop computer with those specifications, plus screen, peripherals and operating system for less than $700, I expect. For the price of that Alienware computer, you're talking about quad-core Core 2 processors, and if you already have a screen and peripherals, welcome to Core i7 country.

While I agree that desktops are cheaper and easier, laptops are better for college students and people who travel a lot.

And if I could afford it, I'd get a laptop that could perform aswell as a high end PC/

 

[lightingbird]

A lot of ignorance in this thread from so called experts. Gaming laptops work just as good as desktops. It's just a matter of opinion nothing more whether or not if you prefer one or the other. Personally, I love laptops. You can walk around any where in the house and get online or game. You just have to be careful what you buy or buy something that can be upgraded.

The best benefit for me is whenever I get a new gaming laptop. I can always sell the current one with no problem.

 

[mALX]

A lot of ignorance in this thread from so called experts. Gaming laptops work just as good as desktops. It's just a matter of opinion nothing more whether or not if you prefer one or the other. Personally, I love laptops. You can walk around any where in the house and get online or game. You just have to be careful what you buy or buy something that can be upgraded.

The best benefit for me is whenever I get a new gaming laptop. I can always sell the current one with no problem.

That is really good to hear! Thank you!

 

[mALX]

A lot of ignorance in this thread from so called experts. Gaming laptops work just as good as desktops. It's just a matter of opinion nothing more whether or not if you prefer one or the other. Personally, I love laptops. You can walk around any where in the house and get online or game. You just have to be careful what you buy or buy something that can be upgraded.

The best benefit for me is whenever I get a new gaming laptop. I can always sell the current one with no problem.

Depends on how you want to game. I'm of the opinion that any sort of "affordable" gaming laptop offers a hopelessly mediocre experience when compared to a desktop of the same price. You've got to have it plugged in anyway, because the battery drains in no time at all, it's going to be ridiculously heavy for a laptop (which is counter-intuitive, because isn't a laptop supposed to offer mobility?), and that's not even getting into the specifications. Let's just say that medium specifications on Fallout 3 at the resolutions that a 17" laptop screen offers are bettered by my ageing desktop, which only has an 8800 GTS 320MB.

I know the OP wants mobility, but I don't consider that a price worth paying when you get an underperforming, hermetically-sealed package with hopelessly short battery life.

Also:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.72470
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.78113

Also, regarding my own qualifications as far as configuring computers goes:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.82919#1143294

And in terms of knowledge about computers:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.85690#1252744
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.79454#1013534

I'm sorry about starting a new thread when there was already one running, I looked back till I was seeing January 2009 and thought that was far enough back to search before starting this thread.

I already knew you had an exceptional grasp when I read your articles, but now I am totally in awe! I had an old PC I thought of doing that with too, but I am electronically (or should I say technically) challenged, and didn't dare risk it.

I have a PC that will play Oblivion at half graphics, and that is customized. Not sure if I can upgrade the graphics on it, but I am going to find out. It is an HP, and they are really obnoxious about what will or will not work with them. At the same time I got it, I got an HP laptop that called itself a gaming laptop. It is NOT a gaming laptop, the graphics card is just an NVidia 7150m, so Oblivion would kill it.

I have to travel a lot and wait a lot. I can't carry my desktop around with me, so I have been carrying my 360 and a 15.4" flat top monitor. It works great, but it looks funny when you walk into an office carrying your 360 with you, lol.

Can you do what you do with the desktops with a laptop? If anyone can it would be you! All I need is something that will play Oblivion and Fallout 3, and just Works for Windows would make me happy. The thing is both those games are graphics hogs and power hungry.

 

[lightingbird]

I'm of the opinion that any sort of "affordable" gaming laptop offers a hopelessly mediocre experience when compared to a desktop of the same price.

You have got to be kidding me. My current laptop can play almost any game at max graphics. The latest game being Empire total war. It cost right over a grand. Now I'm not going to be ignorant and ASSUME a desktop can't offer me the same or better. Keep in mind, what I just said. I can run Empire total war at max settings. How on earth is that mediocre?

You are very right about one thing. That's your very limited and pointless opinion in regards to this thread. There are people that have said the same thing that I just did and you keep holding on to this FALSE thought process you are misleading others into thinking that laptop's cannot compare to desktops of the same price. While that is simply false.

I'll never forget a few years ago, I was doing some research on my first gaming laptop. I believe I posted up on bi-tech forums seeking some advice. The first six response said there is no such thing as a gaming laptop and that you wouldn't even be able run Diablo at decent settings much less games like WOW. All the while, in my post in that SAME thread, I had listed several games that I could run with no problem. I knew then, there are a lot of so called experts that simply no nothing. Talk out of the side of their heads. Makes you wonder why they would even respond with pure assumption.

Keep doing research OP. Gaming laptops exist and cost about the same as a equal desktop. Anyone who tells you otherwise, is flat out dead wrong and assuming.

 

[lightingbird]

One other thing...

Now to anyone that is gaming on a laptop. Why in the hell would you be worried about the battery life? Plug the damn thing up! I've never not once, been sitting around gaming thinking to myself, " hey I'll just use the battery! ".

Nah man, use the AC. If I'm mobile, I'll have the power cord with me.

So get over the battery life seriously.

 

[zauxz]

Asus F3SR ( it hink its called that) sattisfies me. I played fallout, mass effect, oblivion , the witcher, saints row, bioshock. On medium high- medium without lag. And its preety cheap too!